An autopsy study of pattern and yearly trend of homicide in Warri, Nigeria

Background: Homicide is a common cause of unnatural death and an index of the level of security of the state. The aim of this study was to analyze all autopsied unnatural homicide cases in Warri, Nigeria from 2003 to 2016 with emphasis on age, sex, regional distribution of injury, and circumstance of death. Materials and Methods: Six hundred and seventy-four cases were studied and relevant information extracted from police and autopsy records. These information were analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: Unnatural homicide cases accounted for 69.1% of 975 medicolegal deaths autopsied in this region, with a male to female distribution of 14:1. The mean age of the victims was 33.2 years with the highest incidence occurring in the 3rd decade. Firearms, sharp weapons, blunt weapons, suffocation, and burning were the methods used in 426 (63.2%), 162 (24.0%), 73 (10.8%), 11 (1.7%), and 2 (0.3%) cases, respectively. The chest, the head, and the neck were the most common parts of the body affected representing 275 (40.8%), 162 (24%), and 52 (7.7%) of cases. Conclusion: Unnatural death as a result of homicide is very common in the study area and mainly perpetrated using firearms and sharps with young males being the most vulnerable age group. The head, chest, and neck are more commonly affected regions of the body

Psychiatric features in perpetrators of homicide-unsuccessfulsuicide at Weskoppies Hospital in a 5-year period

Background. In the absence of medical literature reporting on homicide-unsuccessful-suicide (HUS) cases in which the perpetrator is referred for forensic psychiatric observation present an opportunity to explore psychiatric features pertaining to the event.Objective. To identify possible contributing psychiatric features in HUS cases.Method. A retrospective; single-centre; descriptive study was conducted; in which were reviewed clinical records of HUS subjects referred for observation to Weskoppies Hospital from December 2005 to January 2011. Socio-demographic and psychiatric information was obtained. Results. Nine cases were reviewed. The median age of the subjects was 29 years and 7 subjects were male. Five cases involved family members. Cases involving couples demonstrated male subjects and cases involving filicide demonstrated female subjects. Only 1 case involved the use of a firearm. At the time of the incident; 4 of the cases had no psychiatric diagnosis but notable interpersonal difficulties. Psychotic disorders were diagnosed in 3 subjects; a depressive disorder in 1 subject and a depressive and anxiety disorder in 1 subject.Conclusion. Subjects commonly used less lethal methods than shooting. The high rate of psychiatric disorders diagnosed is in keeping with court referrals occurring when a mental illness is suspected. Some cases may require specialised probing before psychosis becomes apparent. Identification of psychosocial stressors and failure of coping mechanisms during periods of strife within an intimate relationship may be a focus of future research in homicide-suicide cases. Separation should possibly be investigated as an independent factor which promotes the interpersonal difficulty associated with homicide-suicide

A 20 Year Retrospective Analysis of Medicolegal Deaths in a Tertiary Hospital Setting in Nigeria

Objective: To determine and classify the various types of medicolegal deaths as seen at University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH); Benin City; Nigeria.Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of all the medicolegal deaths seen in the Department of Histopathology; (UBTH; Benin City over a 20 year period (January 1990-December 2009) as recorded in the autopsy registers of the department.Result: A total of 5035 autopsies were done during the period; 89 of which were coroner cases. Four thousand; four hundred and eighty-one coroner cases representing 12.5 of all bodies received by the mortuary during the period were studied. The male to female ratio was 1.9:1; with an overall mean age of 38.3 years. The ages ranged from 1 day to 101 years with a peak incidence in the 25-44 years age group. A total of 553 children and 3928 adults were involved. The commonest indication for coroner's autopsy was sudden unexpected natural deaths (SUNDs) which accounted for 65.5 of the cases. Other causes of death were accidents; homicide; suicide; and undetermined causes representing 28.6; 5.0; 0.5; and 0.4; respectively. Commonest cause of SUND was cardiovascular diseases with complications of hypertension being the most common CVS disease (26.9). Road traffic accident was the commonest form of accident causing death (88.7). Public enlightenment and health education about routine medical screening will help to reduce causes of natural deaths.Conclusion: This study shows the pattern of medicolegal autopsies in UBTH and this preliminary data will provide a baseline for future research and help in formulating policies to help in reduction of preventable causes of death

Auteurs d'homicides et de tentatives d'homicides; quelles caracteristiques ? Etude portant sur des rapports d'expertises psychiatriques faits au Cameroun

L'objectif de ce travail etait de decrire les caracteristiques sociodemographiques; psychopathologiques et psycho criminologiques d'une population d'auteurs d'homicides et de tentatives d'homicides; recus a la clinique psychiatrique de l'hopital Jamot de Yaounde au Cameroun. L'echantillon comprenait 12 personnes ayant ete expertisees du 1er mars 2002 au 31 juillet 2006 a la demande d'un juge ou d'un officier de police judiciaire. Sur 12 auteurs d'homicides identifies il y avait 8 hommes (66;7) et 4 femmes (33;3); d'age moyen 18;3 ans. Le plus jeune des criminels avait 17 ans au moment des faits; le plus age avait 43 ans. Les 12 auteurs d'homicides ont fait un total de 16 victimes dont 14 meurtres et 2 blesses graves ayant survecu a leurs blessures grace a une intervention rapide des services medicaux. Dans 8 cas sur 12; l'acte criminel coincidait avec une periode particuliere de leur vie caracterisee par des difficultes personnelles alors que pour 4 autres; aucun evenement particulier n'etait mis en lien avec les faits. Pour commettre le crime; les auteurs d'homicides ont eu recours a la strangulation; aux coups et aux armes blanches (couteaux etmachettes) dans 87;5des cas et les victimes etaient le plus souvent attaquees chez elles (68;8des cas). Le diagnostic principal sur la base des criteres du CIM10 comprenait : la schizophrenie; n = 5 (41;7); les troubles delirants persistants; n = 3 (25;0) et la psychopathie; n = 1 (8;3). 9 auteurs (75;0) d'homicides ou de sa tentative avaient des antecedents personnels de maladie mentale dont 8; depuis au moins 6 mois avant le passage a l'acte criminel et 4 parmi eux avaient deja beneficie d'un suivi par un psychiatre dont 2 en hospitalisation pour un ou plusieurs episodes anterieurs de decompensation psychotique. Seize victimes ont ete enregistrees parmi lesquelles; 8 de sexe masculin et 8 de sexe feminin. Parmi elles; nous avons denombre 5 adultes (31;3) et 11 enfants (68;7). Parmi ces enfants; 9 etaient victimes de meurtres (81;8) et 2 victimes de tentatives de meurtre (18;2). Sur les 5 adultes victimes; 1 etait de sexe feminin et 4 de sexe masculin. Parmi les mineurs victimes d'homicide; il y avait 6 filles et 3 garcons dont un adolescent de 17 ans. L'age des autres mineurs etait compris entre 18 mois et 8 ans. L'etude releve trois indicateurs : la forte implication desmaladesmentaux dans les violences homicides (66;7) majoritairement des schizophrenes; l'existence d'une importante pedocriminalite (11 enfants sur 16 victimes); soulevant le probleme de la vulnerabilite des enfants qui necessitent des mesures de protection et de prevention particulieres; le probleme des malades mentaux errants et celui de leur dangerosite pour la societe

Criminal Capacity in Children Accused of Murder: Challenges in the Forensic Mental Health Assessment

Around the world there appears to have been an increase in child-perpetrated crimes; with South Africa being no exception. Of particular concern is the involvement of children in the perpetration of violent crimes; such as murder. This phenomenon is resulting in greater focus on the role of psychiatric and psychological testimony in the trials of accused youths. While mental health professionals have long been involved in the forensic assessment of adults; their role in the assessment of child accused is less well documented. As a result there is still a great deal of development and refinement needed in this area; in order that the task can be executed with more clarity and precision. Currently; South African law contains the presumption that a child under the age of seven years is doli incapax i.e. he or she cannot be held criminally responsible); while there is a rebuttable doli incapax presumption in the case of children between the ages of seven and 14 years. The age of the accused; together with developmental and social competence indices; are crucial variables that influence the acceptance or rebuttal of the doli incapax presumption. The paper discusses the challenges in the forensic mental health assessment of children accused of murder

Criminal Capacity in Children Accused of Murder: Challenges in the Forensic Mental Health Assessment

Around the world there appears to have been an increase in child-perpetrated crimes; with South Africa being no exception. Of particular concern is the involvement of children in the perpetration of violent crimes; such as murder. This phenomenon is resulting in greater focus on the role of psychiatric and psychological testimony in the trials of accused youths. While mental health professionals have long been involved in the forensic assessment of adults; their role in the assessment of child accused is less well documented. As a result there is still a great deal of development and refinement needed in this area; in order that the task can be executed with more clarity and precision. Currently; South African law contains the presumption that a child under the age of seven years is doli incapax i.e. he or she cannot be held criminally responsible); while there is a rebuttable doli incapax presumption in the case of children between the ages of seven and 14 years. The age of the accused; together with developmental and social competence indices; are crucial variables that influence the acceptance or rebuttal of the doli incapax presumption. The paper discusses the challenges in the forensic mental health assessment of children accused of murder